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South of Scotland Thistle Awards 2023

5 Oct 23
by Nathon Jones
TradFestival 2022

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival heads to the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries this evening for this year's South of Scotland Thistle Awards. The festival is a finalist in the 'Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival' category; another fantastic achievement for the event.

For almost 30 years, The Scottish Thistle Awards have been recognising and championing the very best of the Scottish tourism, hospitality and events industry. The Awards honour the very best individuals, businesses and partnerships for their innovation, excellence and success.  

The Scottish Thistle Awards are delivered by VisitScotland in partnership with regional awards programmes. They combine five regional awards, with a national final.

This year sees the introduction of a dedicated South of Scotland Thistle Awards, delivered in partnership with the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and South of Scotland Enterprise, which invite nominations and entries from the tourism and events industry in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.   

VisitScotland will continue to deliver two regional finals for Central & East and West, whilst the Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) and the Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards (ACSTA) will deliver their regional awards programme. Winners from all five regions progress to the National Final.

Wishing everyone who has made the finals the very best of success tonight and fingers crossed that we can bring another award back to Newton Stewart.

In Other News

Vote for Summer Trad Festival and The Vault Arts Centre

If you've enjoyed any of the events, festivals and/or tuition at The Vault Arts Centre this year, please drop us a wee vote for this year's MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Event of the Year? Venue of the Year? Tutor of the Year? Please vote, and share, and let's grab an award for Galloway!  

18 Oct 25
Nathon Jones

Full steam ahead for Autumn Trad Festival 2025

What a wonderful community of musicians, music lovers and supporters of arts and culture in Dumfries & Galloway we have! Tickets have been flying out the door for the 5th annual Autumn Trad Festival which will take place over 17th & 18th October featuring Tarran (Trio) and Swinging on Birches.  

14 Oct 25
Nathon Jones

Autumn Trad Festival 2025 update

Despite best efforts to promote this year's Autumn Trad Festival - an event that champions young people in traditional music and which was due to celebrate its 5th annual event this year - a lack of funding and poor ticket sales may see the event cancelled.  

9 Oct 25
Nathon Jones

More Trad News

Trad Music Trust

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary over 11th-13th July 2025. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!

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